(a) The Legislature hereby declares the practice of licensed vocational nursing to be a profession.

(b) This section shall not be construed to affect the laws relating to the practice of registered nursing, including the provisions of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700), nor any existing regulations relating to registered nurse staffing of licensed health facilities.

(c) The intent of this section shall not be construed to mean that licensed vocational nurses are to be considered as professional employees as defined in Sections 3507.3 and 3533 of the Government Code.

(Added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 734.)